West Florida News

• More than 40 million Americans suffer from allergies. 
• Christmas decorations such as trees, wreaths, and ornaments can collect dust and mold. 
• Holiday decorations that are pine-scented can provoke allergy and asthma symptoms.

The holiday season can be an especially difficult time for allergy sufferers, as travel, stress, and even Christmas decorations can lead to worse allergic reactions. According to Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free, seasonal changes can affect your allergies.

“Allergies are a condition where your body reacts to an allergen in the environment, especially in your nose,” Dr. Blair told the West Florida News. “Your nose is covered with a mucous membrane similar to your mouth. If you already have an anatomical problem, let's say that you have a deviated septum or some anatomic variation where you're already having narrowing in your sinuses or your nasal cavity — just a little bit of irritation from an allergy, whether it's an allergy that's out there all year round or in a certain season, is really going to affect your nasal health.”

According to WebMD, experts recommend choosing an artificial tree for the holiday season rather than a live one, as live Christmas trees could have mold or chemicals on them. Additionally, it’s recommended to wash ornaments before decorating, choose non-fabric ornaments, and store firewood outdoors until it's ready to be used.

The pine scent of organic Christmas trees and other decorations can also trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, according to Good RX. A chemical called terpene, which is in the sap of pine trees, can be irritating to the eyes, nose, and skin. Trees that are decorated with “flocking,” or fake snow, can also set off allergy and asthma symptoms because the flocking releases small particles into the air.

Another cause of allergy triggers during the holiday season is droppings from pests such as mice, cockroaches, and spiders, according to Good RX. Those pests like to nest in dark, damp locations such as basements and garages and often find decoration bins to be good hiding places because they aren't moved often. Droppings from those pests can set off allergy symptoms.

A lot of traveling, stress, and inconsistent usage of medications during the holiday season can also lead to worsened allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Stress in particular can lead to asthma attacks.

Dr. Matthew Blair earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Miami, according to the Gulf Coast Breathe Free's website. He obtained his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2010 and completed his internship and residency in otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Michigan. Dr. Blair achieved board certification in 2015.